Are you considering refreshing your home this year? Choosing your color palette is always the most challenging part of planning a room design. But thankfully, Instagram offers a wealth of inspiration for unique and surprising color combinations.
From vibrant tones that make a bold impact to updated classics, you’re sure to discover a professional design that will get your creative juices flowing. We scoured our social media feeds to find some of our favorite color palettes that you may not have considered before. These are seven unexpectedly good color combinations to inspire you in 2024.
Chocolate brown and blue
Brown and blue are always a classic pairing. Give this color combo a 2024 upgrade by using a trendy chocolate brown with a deep blue like Hunker Home did in their home’s dining room. The contrast of the dark wood with the rich blue hue of the wall gives the traditional color palette a much-needed upgrade. To take the look a step further, Hunker Home adds a bright touch with a white ceiling, crown molding, and shag rug. The white hue uplifts the darker tones of the rich, royal blue and warm, chocolate brown.
Sage green and fuchsia
This eclectic and cheerful living room from Sarah Vaile Design showcases one of our favorite color pairings: sage green and fuchsia. This relaxing shade of green is everywhere this year, but Vaile’s design offers a fresh take on the trend. Matching the soft green with a bold purplish-pink hue breathes new life into the room, which is architecturally very traditional. The gorgeous shades are accented by simple, graphic artwork and a neutral area rug, preventing the maximalist styles from becoming too overwhelming.
Canary yellow and lavender
If you are looking for a bold and completely unexpected color palette, decorate with canary yellow and lavender. Purple and yellow are complementary colors, which create the intense look showcased in Jessica Ayromloo’s design. The founder of Ayromloo Design loves to play with bright colors, as seen in this bedroom look. The softer lavender purple tempers the bold canary yellow, and the cream wall color grounds the two hues and emphasizes the contrast. While this color combo is undoubtedly not for everyone, it’s hard to resist such a striking interior design.
Dusty rose and kelly green
What could be better than a pink kitchen? A pink kitchen with bright green accents, of course! This unique color combo is brought to us by Plain English Kitchens, a handcrafted cupboard manufacturer from the U.K. The design feels homey and ultra trendy with dual-tone cabinets and countertops. The far wall matches the kitchen island with an inviting dusty rose hue. With bold kelly green accents and white cupboards to tie the look together, the standard kitchen is entirely transformed by the fun and cozy palette.
Black and charcoal gray
Don’t let the dark hues scare you; pairing black with a deep charcoal gray can have an incredibly dramatic effect on a home. In the house designed by architect Reza Mohtashami, the dark gray accent color complements the black walls — and the visual impact is quite striking. Part of what makes these dark shades work so well in this home is the abundant natural light and the contrast with the light-colored floors and ceilings. But even in a less spacious home, this striking color combo will play well.
Maroon, periwinkle, and lilac
On paper, it doesn’t seem like maroon, lilac, and periwinkle would look good together. But with this bedroom design, Plaid Fox Studio has proven that to be incorrect. The bed features an oversized headboard that’s cloaked in maroon velvet with a periwinkle blue trim. Lilac throw pillows are the perfect accent on top of crisp white bedding. Set against a textured white wall, the unusual color palette creates a cozy vibe with a lot of visual interest.
Teal and soft pink
Teal is a bold yet trendy color, while baby pink is a fantastic pairing to help subdue and soften the brash look of teal look. These two colors contrast beautifully while each garners attention within a space without overshadowing the other. We love how Simply Smashing Designs carried the teal tone up the wall, pausing one foot from the ceiling to allow the white hue to create a greater sense of height and space. The soft pinks throughout the furniture help ground the space and draw the eye downward, allowing the room to feel expansive and bold yet comforting.
Say goodbye to boring neutrals and welcome these seven unexpected color pairings with open arms. The interior design pros of Instagram show us how to embrace color in every room of the home without looking over the top or childish. Instead, these color palette ideas offer sophisticated and stunning interior design inspiration that you can incorporate into your home. Whether you want something fun and bold, like bright yellow and pale purple, or something modern and dramatic, like black and dark gray, playing with unusual color combos can have a drastic impact on your home. So don’t be afraid to try something new with your interior design; you never know what surprising color pairing will speak to you!
